Women over age 80 report satisfying sex lives, but may not be having sex

A study on female sexual dysfunction has some surprising results for older women past the prime baby-making years.

According to the results of a survey of women ages 40 to 100, women under age 55 and over age 80, report the most satisfying sex life. While sexual satisfaction increased with age, the study also found that satisfaction did not necessarily require having any sex at all. The authors of the study speculate that satisfaction was achieved through closeness and intimacy with a partner. They conclude that focusing on female sexual dysfunction may not result in the best outcomes.

“Emotional and physical closeness to the partner may be more important than experiencing orgasm,” the authors write. “A more positive approach to female sexual health focusing on sexual satisfaction may be more beneficial to women than a focus limited to female sexual activity or dysfunction.”

For the study, researchers mailed a 20 question survey to about 1,300 women in a small community near San Diego, Calif. Of the roughly 800 women who responded, half reported being sexually active in the last month with, or without, a partner. About a third of the women reported low, very low, or no sexual desire.

According to the study, 48 percent of women under age 55 reported reaching orgasm almost or always. The second highest percentage of women to report the same was in the over 80 age group with 42 percent reporting the ability to achieve orgasm. Hormone therapy was associated with increased sexual activity and desire, but not with arousal, orgasm or satisfaction.

The authors note the respondents were all of a similar socioeconomic status and therefore results may not prove accurate across a wider spectrum of women. The study was published in the American Journal of Medicine and can be read in its entirety here.

I completely agree with the findings of this study. Even in the sexual prime of my life, the feeling of being close, cuddling and simply being close with my partner brought more pleasure than the “real thing”. Having a nice dinner with a glass of good wine; then prehaps a shower together meant more to me than the “real thing”. It seems that the subject could be debated forever, however, this is one of many I have read that makes perfect sense.